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The chord progression in Beck’s “Morning” is a 9-chord progression in the key of A major. This chord progression employs borrowed chords and has a unique structure that includes secondary dominant chords and mediant substitutions. The chords are mostly major with a mix of some minor chords.

The chord progression in the outro of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” is an interesting combination of diatonic and chromatic elements. The use of the borrowed chord A# major in the mostly diatonic setting adds an unexpected twist to the progression, creating a unique and expressive harmonic landscape.

“Paint It Black” plays with minor tonality, which isn’t extremely common in rock and roll music of the era. The song is in the key of E minor and uses the chords Em, B, D, G, and A. The verse has an interesting use of harmonies, incorporating the minor i, major V, minor iv, major bIII, and major IV chords.

“In My Life” is a song written by The Beatles which stands as a hallmarks of their inventive songwriting and command of complex musical structures. The song is primarily in the key of A Major, but it employs a number of borrowed chords and modal interchange to create a more interesting and richer harmonic landscape. The melody, rhythm, and lyrics of this song are poignant and memorable, making “In My Life” an enduring classic in the Beatles’ catalog.

The song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has a dark and moody atmosphere, characterized by the repetitive chord progression that sets the gloomy tone. This prolific use of chords throughout snippets of the song creates a musical portrait of monotony and disillusion which is reflective of the song’s title and lyrics. Looking at the chords provided from the second verse, this mood is accomplished through the consistent use of minor tonalities and alternation between two power chords – E and C.

Beck – Morning – VERSE 2

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Chord Progression

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m

Chord Progression Analysis

E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# minor (iii) – F# minor (ii)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles:
C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV)

2. “Creep” by Radiohead:
G Major (I) – B Major (III) – C Major (IV) – C minor (iv)

3. “Someone Like You” by Adele:
A Major (I) – E Major (V) – F# minor (vi) – D Major (IV)

4. “No Surprises” by Radiohead:
D Major (I) – B minor (vi) – G Major (IV) – G minor (iv)

Musical Analysis

This progression begins on the E Major tonic chord (I) which establishes the key center of the song. It then moves to the subdominant chord (IV), A Major, introducing warmth and color. Next, it resolves to the mediant, G# minor (iii), which shares two common tones with the A Major chord. This relationship provides a smooth transition that adds a melancholy element. Finally, the progression moves to the supertonic (ii), F# minor, adding tension and propelling the progression back to the tonic (I), E Major.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the verse 2 of Beck’s “Morning” is an example of a common progression in popular music, involving the I, IV, iii, and ii chords. The harmony is mostly diatonic, staying within the key of E major. The progression features regular 4-chord phrases and a smooth, consonant flow between chords.

Style Analysis

Beck’s “Morning” falls within the genre of indie folk and acoustic rock. The chord progression’s simplicity and diatonic nature are common in these genres, offering a comforting quality that supports storytelling lyrics. The use of easy-to-play open chords and repetitive nature contribute to the song’s accessibility for listeners and musicians alike.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Morning by Beck are:

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m